Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 110/24

SVEEP PROGRAM HELD AT SHILLONG COLLEGE

The Department of Political Science Shillong College in collaboration with the Systematic Voters Education and Electoral Participation and the Office of the Deputy Commissioner (Election) East Khasi hills District today organised an Open Mic Voters Awareness Program at Shillong College.

Shri Eddy Ripnar, a member of the Meghalaya Model United Nation shared insights about the apps that the Election Commission of India had recently launched, the Know Your Candidate (KYC) app basically helps you to gather information about any candidate in your constituency and it will help to see the background and criminal records of the candidate, which is very important as voters when choosing the candidate. Another app, cVIGIL is an innovative mobile application for citizens to report about fraud, distribution of money during elections and others, he said.

He also said that through this app, one can report to the Chief Electoral Officer and they will immediately take action from the information gathered through the app and the person's name will be kept anonymous. During the program, questions with a special focus on elections were asked, for which a special gifts was given to the students who gave the correct answers. 

Press Release No. 111/24

RETURNING OFFICER MEETING WITH POLITICAL PARTIES

The Returning officer of 1St Shillong (ST) Parliamentary Constituency Shri SC Sadhu today met all the leaders of Political parties in connection with the General Election to the Lok Sabha 2024.

Sadhu while addressing the meeting requested the leaders of political parties to maintain law and order. Meghalaya is a peaceful State and in every election we see that it went on without any problems, he added.

He urged all the Political Parties to request their supporters not to create havoc in the public meeting of others. He also advises them not to spread fake news or messages without verifying them.

He hopes to see that this Upcoming Lok Sabha Election will be peaceful and go on smoothly. Everyone knows that Meghalaya is a peaceful state and hope that our state will maintain that status.  

Press Release No. 112/24

DUL DOKA PROGRAM TO EDUCATE VOTERS HELD AT AMPATI

Using the Garo traditional method of spreading information through drum beats known as “Dul Doka”, an impressive programme to educate the voters and enhance participation in the electoral process was held at the centre of Ampati weekly market on Saturday.

The Dul Doka programme which attracted a huge crowd of young and old voters and even children, organized by the CEO, Meghalaya in collaboration with the District Administration, South West Garo Hills and A'chik Theatre, Tura, as part of Systematic Voters Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) campaign ahead of the General Election to the Lok Sabha, 2024. Participating in the programme as the chief guest, the Deputy Commissioner and District Election Officer, South West Garo Hills, Hema Nayak, interacted with the enthusiastic crowd urging upon all eligible voters come out in large numbers to vote on the day of polling on April 19, 2024. She informed the gathering that the facility of home voting is being provided for senior citizens who are 85+ aged voters and PWD voters and that wheelchairs would be provided for those voters who are unable to walk to the polling booths, to ensure no voter is left out. Acknowledging the fact that the district had a high percentage of voter turnout in the previous elections, she encouraged the voters of the district to strive for attain 100 percent turnout in this Lok Sabha Election.

Principal of Ampati Degree College, Dr. Mamunur R. M. Willy in his address to the gathering stressed on the importance of voting for determining their own future saying “we have no arm power but we have the right of vote”. He said that the polling day is not a holiday to sit and celebrate at home but for all voters to go out and vote, adding that the voters should respect the facilities that are being offered by the Election authorities and fulfil their duty as a responsible citizen of the country.

Principal of Ampati Govt Higher Secondary School, Jilpash R. Marak in his address highlighted on the beauty of a democratic process wherein the citizens have the right to elect their own representative and called upon all the eligible voters to come out and vote on April 19, 2024. 

District officials including SDSEO in-charge SWGH, Emphul Ch. Marak, members of Ampati Bazar Committee were among others who also participated in the program.

Footballs engraved with election slogans were also distributed to the participants as part of the day’s program.